I think why they are charging $499 for the Xbox One is because of the Kinect that comes with it.
I do agree, they should sell the Kinect separately, to drop the price down to $449-399. The Kinect should be an option add-on, not mandatory. I will probably use the Kinect very little, and woundnt get it if it was sold separately.
But back to Xbox One vs PS4. Look, I watched both reveils, Xbox One and PS4, and from what I seen, Xbox One is ahead. Now, don't get wrong, before I show the reveil for the Xbox One, I was set on getting the PS4, do to me thinking Microsoft isnt bringing anything new to the table, but I was wrong.
They both offer great grahics, design, and features. But... the Xbox just offers alot more, and appeal to a bigger audience. They made it that way so gamers and non-gamers can both get something out of it, let it be for movies, music, DVR...you know, HTPC.